Posted August 6, 2012
Information courtesy of USA.gov

Up to 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Although nothing can guarantee that you won't become a victim, there are things you can do to help minimize your risk, including:

• Guarding your Social Security number.
• Shredding documents with personal information before disposing of them.
• Using intricate passwords.
• Verifying a source before sharing any personal information.
• Being on the lookout for online scammers and thieves.
• Keeping your purse, wallet, and personal information secure.

The best way to detect identity theft is to monitor your accounts and bank statements each month and check your credit report regularly. Learn more about how to detect identity theft.

If you discover that you are a victim of identity theft, take steps to respond and recover as soon as possible. You can find forms, sample letters, and other tools from the Federal Trade Commission.

Click for more about Personal Security at Social Media Sites  . 

USA.gov • General Services Administration • OCSIT • 1275 First Street NE • Washington DC 20417 • (800) 333-4636.